Israel government says it will defy Supreme Court decision

Israeli cabinet members on Sunday voted to defy a Supreme Court decision regarding the country's broadcast regulator raising concerns of a constitutional crisis.



This is the first time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has flouted a Supreme Court ruling, although it has clashed with the judiciary in the past.



In 2022, it sought to limit the court's powers, drawing global criticism and mass protests in Israel, but ultimately dropped the plan after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.



Israeli law requires the Second Authority for Television and Radio to have a minimum number of members to make decisions.



The government argues that because the council no longer meets that requirement, it has no authority to approve appointments or take other actions. However, on June 17, the court ordered the council to continue anyway.



The cabinet on Sunday voted unanimously in favour of rejecting the court's ruling, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin said in a statement that was swiftly condemned by opposition leaders vying to replace Netanyahu's coalition in an upcoming election.